Portable electric lamp



Nov.14,1939 FLORMAN 2.1 0. 8

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMP I v I Filed Spt 1, 1958 IRVING L RAN Patented Nov. 14,1939

UNITED, STATES -PATENT OFFICE,

' 3 Claims.

This invention relates to portable electric lamps. In particular, this invention relates to portable lamps adapted, by reason of their small weight, size, extreme compactness and illuminating efliciency to be used as an accessory to be conveniently carried in pockets or handbags or attached to key cases or key chains for use as keyhole finders, etc.

It is an object of this invention to provide such a structure which is of extreme strength and compactness and decorative appearance.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a structure wherein, by extension of a substantial portion of the illuminating bulb outwardly beyond the casing, the utmost efficiency of illumination is achieved, while the production of a marginal penumbra in the produced light beam is totally obviated. 4

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a structure wherein the casing is possessed of the utmost degree of strength and rigid ity, for its weight, by reason of the reinforcement provided at opposite ends of the cylindrical body portion thereof. 1

It is a further object of this invention to provide such end reinforcements for the cylindrical body portion of the casing as will extend therebeyond in such a manner as to prevent damage by scratching or defacement of the surface of the cylindrical body portion of the casing.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in such structure a single rotatable member, which in addition to performing the function of a switch provides also means for attachment of the lamp to a key ring, key chain or conventional key case.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a member having secured thereto a loop member for attachment to key hooks, chains, rings or the like, and which, in addition, facilitates rotation of the member in performing its function as a switch or switching device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in such a lamp structure a casing and reinforcement members adapted to impart rigidity to the casing structure, to provide protection, for the body portion thereof while at the same time providing support for the rotatable switch memher.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a casing and reinforcement member which, in addition to performing the above functions', provides also stop means cooperating with a portion of the switch member to limit motion thereof in one direction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a casing structure adapted to expose substantially all of the filament-enclosing portion of a tapered electric bulb and which'casing, due to its opaqueness throughout will prevent the production of a marginal beam penumbra.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, taken in conjunction with the drawing:

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a portable elec tric lamp structure constructed according to the principles of this invention and showing a fragment of a key chain attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the lamp structure with the electric bulb and cell in elevation, the parts being in the on orv operable position;

' Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in o or inoperative position;

Fig, 4 is an exploded view, in section, of the casing end reinforcement member and a portion of the casing properbefore their attachment together; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the casing proper and casing reinforcement member attached together and showing in elevation the switch screw and attachment loop member before assembly.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the main or cylindrical portion of the casing is designated l0 and is of a tubular or cupped form having-an open end to which is screw threadedly attached the bulb-holding or head member ll, while the opposite end thereof is provided with an aperture by means of which the casing and reinforcement member 12 is attached as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5. The bulb-holding or head member H is provided with a suitable aperture, hereinafter described, through which the reduced end portion of the bulb l4 extends as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The end reinforcing member I! is provided, as hereinafter described in detail, with screw threaded means for supporting the switch screw I5 with its enlarged head portion extending within the main cylindrical casing portion l0, where it engages the rear or lower end of the electrical cell l6, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thecompression spring I! is disposed between the inner, rear or lower end of the bulb l4 and the insulated portion of the upper or forward end of the cell l6 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This compression spring I! maintains the cell IS in engagement with the enlarged head portion of the switch screw l5 at all times and due to the screw threaded engagement of the switch screw I5 with the casing and reinforcement mem ber l2, by rotation of the switch screw I5 throughout a. quarter turn or 90, the cell I6may be moved from the off" position as shown in Fig. 3 to the on position as shown in Fig. 2, and ce versa.

An important feature of the invention resides in the construction of the bulb-holding or head member II, both with regard to the opaqueness thereof, which prevents the production, by the bulb, of a marginal penumbra, and also with regard to the manner in which it encloses the thick or base portion of the bulb I4 while providing for extension of the reduced outer end portion thereof through the aperture in the head II in such manner that the major portion of the filament-enclosing glass envelope of the bulb I4 is disposed outside the head II. This materially increases the illuminating efliciency of the structure and insures substantially uniform intensity 'of illumination throughout the beam area thereof.

The head member I I is provided with an inner threaded portion which cooperates with bent in portions 19 provided in the casing portion ID for screw threaded attachment of the member II to the portion I0. Outwardly or forwardly of the threaded portion l8 the member H is provided with an annular exterior integral flange 20 which extends outwardly beyond the annular wall of the portion III for a purpose which will hereinafter more clearly appear. The outer exterior surface of the member II is tapered inwardly and forwardly or outwardly and may be provided with any suitable decorative design as shown in Fig. 1. While the member Il may be constructed of any suitable opaque material, it is preferably formed of metal. Interiorly the member II L; provided at its inner end with a cylindrical bore 2| adapted for close engagement with the threaded base of the bulb I4, and this cylindrical bore 2| terminate-r forwardly or outwardly in a tapered bore portion 22 adapted for close engagement with the thick portion of the glass envelope of a tapered bulb as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. At

its outer end the bore portion 22 terminates in a circular aperture 23 of suitable size to permit extension of substantially all of the reduced end portion of the glass envelope of the bulk 14 beyond the headmember II as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and as described above.

As will be clearly understood from the showing of Figs. 2 and 3, the bulb I4 is always maintained in position in the head II by the spring I! both in the on position as shown in Fig. 2 or the "01? position as shown in Fig.3. As the bulb I4 is of conventional construction, one filament terminal thereof is electrically connected to the metallic threaded base jacket Ida, while the other filament terminal thereof is electrically connected to the base contact Mb. The base contact Mb is adapted for selective engagement with the contact I6b of the cell I6 as shown in Fig. 2, whereby an electrical circuit extends from the terminal or contact I6b through contact Mb, through the bulb filament and thence through jacket I4a, the head member II, the casing portion I0, and reinforcement member I2, and switch screw I5 to the casing of the cell I6. This circuit is opened by suitable movement of the switch screw I5 from the position shown in Fig.

2 to that shown in Fig. 3.

As shown particularly in Fig. 5, the switch screw is provided with an enlarged screw head 25 at its upper, or inner, end below which is a which is described above.

, ment flange or sleeve 36.

reduced cylindrical portion 26 which is adjacent the screw threaded intermediate portion 21. Below the screw threaded portion 21 is a second or outer cylindrical portion 28 which is separated from the tapered outer end portion 30 by the an nular groove 29. The annular groove 29 is provided with a transverse bore 31 which is adapted to receive the ends of the attachment loop 32 upon assemblage of the parts as shown in Fig. 3. The dimensions of the attachment loop 32 are preferably such that when the attachment loop 32 is secured to the switch screw I5, the over-all transverse dimensions of the loop member 32 are greater than the diameter of the screw threaded portion 21, which relationship totally prevents accidental loss of the switch screw I5 because this member may not be removed from the casing and reinforcement member I2 without removal of the attachment loop member 32 therefrom.

The casing end reinforcement member I2 is of the general configuration of a dome shaped annular washer having curved or arcuate side walls 33 which are preferably tapered inwardly and downwardly and which may be of any desired decorative contour and which terminate upwardly at the annular flange 34 which is of similar diameter to the flange 20 of the head member II, At its upper end the reinforcement member I2 is provided with a countersunk annular groove 35 which is disposed between the flange 34 and the annular attach- The member I2 isalso provided, as shown in Fig. 4, with a central axial bore having an intermediate threaded portion 38 which is provided with screw threads which are complementary to the screw threads of the screw threaded portion 21 of the switch screw I5 and which cooperate therewith, as shown in'Figs. 2 and 3, to provide firm support therefor, while the extent thereof is such as to provide for smooth and substantially frictionless engagement with the screw threads of the portion 21 of the 'switch screw I5. The manufactured form of the reinforcement member I2, before assembly, is shown in Fig. 4 where it will be noted that the attachment flange or sleeve 36 presents a cylindrical outer surface. This cylindrical outer surface is adapted for close engagement with the annular side walls of the aperture 39 provided in the end wall of the cylindrical casing portion I0, as shown in Fig. 4. In order to secure firm attachment of the casing end reinforcement member I2 with the main or cylindrical casing portion I0, the outer surface of the end wall of the casing portion I0 is engaged with the counter-sunk groove 35, while the outer cylindrical surface of the attachment flange 36 is engaged with the walls of the aperture 39 and thereafter the upper end of the attachment flange 36 is expanded outwardly or spun over in such manner as to secure the end wall of'the casing portion I0 between this outwardly bent or spun-over portion 40 and the wall of the counter-sunk groove 35, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby rigid attachment of the casing end reinforcement member I2 to the main or cylindrical casing portion I0 is secured.

When the members I0 and I2 are thus rigidly secured together, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the switch screw I5 maybe assembled to the casing end reinforcement member I2 by being dropped into and centered in the interior of the casing with the portions 28, 29 and 30 thereof screw threaded portion 38 of the casing end reinforcement member l2. Thereafter, the ends of the attachment loop 32 are inserted in the bore 3|, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The flange 20 of the bulb-holding or head member H and the flange 34 of the casing-end reinforcement member l2 are similar and the exterior surfaces thereof are offset outwardly from the exterior cylindrical surface of the main or cylindrical casing portion II]. It will thus be seen that when the casing proper rests upon a flat or planar surface the annular surface of the portion I0 is protected from scratching, abrasion or defacement, whereby the appearance of the lamp will be protected substantially from damage irrespective of the type of exterior covering provided for the .cylindrical casing portion III. This portion may, of-course, be provided with any desired decorative covering such as leather, fabric, lacquer, paint or the like.

In addition to the protecting function performed by the casing end reinforcement memher I! by reason of the cooperation of the flange 34 thereof with'the flange 20 of the bulb-holding or head member II, this member I! also provides for material increase of the strength and rigidity of the casing proper due to the firm attachment of the member I! to the portion ill of the casing. Furthermore, the provision of screw threads 38 throughout a substantial zone provides a firm and substantially frictionless bearing surface for the screw threads of the portion 21 of the switch screw l5, and, as shown in Fig. 3, the cooperation of the portion 40 thereof with a lower or outer surface of the enlarged screw head 25 provides means for accurately determining the outward extent of movement, or, .in other words, provides stop means for the switch screw 15. The inward or upward movement of the cell I6 is limited by engagement of the contact l6b thereof with the contact Nb of the bulb 14, as shown in Fig. 2.

In addition to the above described cooperation of the enlarged head 25 of the switch screw IS with portion 40 of the member l2, and in addition to the function of the switch screw 25 as means-for moving the cell 16 from the position of Fig. 3 to the position of Fig. 2, the provision of the attachment loop 32 on the switch screw l5 materially facilitates rotation of the switch screw l5 from off and on position, and vice versa, while also providing means for attaching the lamp to any suitable hook, ring or the like, such as the ring 4| of a conventional key chain 42, shown in Fig. 1.

From the above description it will clearly appear that the illustrated portable lamp, embodying the principles of this invention, is compact, efficient, of light weight and of such small size as to permit its use in relationships where the size of prior constructions has prevented their use. For instance, the attachment loop 32 may be securedto a. ring of aconventional key case, and the lamp may be carried therein.

It is of course to be understood that the above described structure is merely illustrative of one application of the principles of my invention 70 and that I desire to comprehend within-my invention such modifications as are within the scope of the appended claims, and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

I claim:

1. In a portable lamp, a casing supporting a bulb at one end and enclosing an electric cell movable'therein for closing and opening the electric circuit in said lamp,.said casing including a cylindrical casing member having an apertured end wall, and an end reinforcement member rigidly secured to said apertured end wall and comprising an annular body having a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the casing member and having a screw threaded central aperture and having a central sleeve extending from its upper surface and surrounded by an annular recess engaging the exterior of said apertured end wall. said sleeve extending through the aperture in said end wall and being bent outwardly over the interior of said apertured end wall, a switch screw screwthreadedly secured in the screwthreaded aperture in said annular body, and means attached to said switch screw for rotating said switch screw. I

2. In a portable lamp casing, a cylindrical casing member having an apertured end wall, and

an end reinforcement member rigidly secured to said apertured end wall and comprising an annular body having a screwthreaded central aperture and having a central sleeve extending from its upper surface and surrounded by an annular recess engaging the exterior of said apertured end wall, said sleeve extending through the aperture in said end ,wall and being bent outwardly over the interior of said apertured end wall, and a cell moving switch screw supported in said switch screw aperture, said switch screw having an enlarged head disposed in said casing, a screw threaded portion engaging said screw threaded aperture, and attachment means secured to the outer end thereof andhaving its transverse dimension greater than the diameter of said screw threaded aperture, the engagement of said .enlarged head with said bent over sleeve of said end reinforcement member limiting outward movement of said switch screw and the cooperation of said attachment means with said end reinforcement member preventing accidental removal inwardly of said switch screw.

3. In a portable electric lamp, a casing supporting a bulb at one end and enclosing an electric cell movable therein for closing and opening the electric circuit in said lamp, said casing including a cylindrical casing portion having an integral inturned end wall with a central aperture therein, an end wall reinforcing member secured on the end wall having a portion within said aperture and a flange around said aperture on the inside of the end wall, said end wall reinforcing member having a threaded aperture therethrough, and a switch operating member having a portion threadedly engaged in said threaded aperture, and a portion of greater diameter within the casing having an inner surface adapted .to engage the bottom of the cell to move the same when the switch operating member is turned in one direction and an outer surface adapted and arranged to engage said flange when the switch operating member is turned in the other direction to limit the outward movement of the switch operating member, said switch operating member having means thereon outside the casing for manual turning thereof.

7 IRVING FLORMAN. 

